Chapter Forty-Six: Festival
"Ready for the festival, neighbour?" Tom beamed, looking a bit too bright than usual, which in some sense, made me blind—figuratively that is.
I answered with a mere grumble, shutting the door behind me and tightening the straps of my back pack.
Today is going to be hectic I tell you.
"Did you bring your costume?" he reminded me as we started strolling down the sidewalk, already a mile away from our houses.
"Yeah," I replied, eyes straining to the view right in front of me.
"You nervous?"
"I would be lying if I said I didn't," I answered truthfully, clasping on my clammy fingers.
And that was the truth. Having to interact with strangers? The horror—not to mention giving them advices? What advice can I give anyway when I'm a whole glob of mess?
I breathed, feeling my shoulders stiffen by the series of events that's bound to happen. I tried shaking it off by wiggling my shoulders, but to no avail. Also, that churning sensation on my stomach wasn't going anywhere.
"If you're overwhelmed right now, then I suggest you take a deep breath, close your eyes and say to yourself that you are doing awesome," he propped a finger up, trying to seem like some life coach.
I snorted, eyeing him in amusement. "Sorry, but that's just for people like you. The bubbly, happy lucky guys like you anyway."
"Well there's no harm in trying," he shrugged. "—or you can talk to me about it?"
He looks a bit expectant, as if I'll oblige to what he's proposing. I smirked. "Don't count on it."
"Aw."
. . .
"You look so adorable, Avery!" Emily gushed, eyeing my outfit with a twinkle in her eyes.
Geez, as if she doesn't look like a model herself. She could literally be an actress right now with her looks. "---they really did well with your witch costume."
"I guess," I replied, just for the sake of saying something.
She grinned, placing a hand on my shoulder and squeezing it softly. "Let's do our best today."
I nod. "Likewise."
Then we were positioned to our station as planned. I begrudgingly went to the corner where the small booth was, clad in dark curtains and a mini table with two plastic seats. I head inside, then took a seat and by a mere second, my skin was starting to sweat from the heat.
Who wouldn't be this hot when everything around me is black? My room is dark-themed, but at least I have an AC to cool me off.
I took off my hat and used it to fan myself. I mean it doesn't really give me that much to satisfy my sweaty body, but just a tiny breeze is alright.
Will anyone even line up at this booth? No one would probably bother. I'm not really a crowd favorite. I sighed, already feeling tired even though the day has yet to start.
For starters I guess I should take a nap. I'm sure no one wi---
"Yo."
"Oskar," I grit my teeth, forcing up a smile as customer service. "---nice to see you here, supporting me."
"I wouldn't miss it for the world, best friend," he answered with amusement, taking the vacant seat in front of me.
I rolled my eyes then crossed my arms. "So what advice do you want from me?"
He pretended to be hurt, clutching a hand to his chest. "You're so cold. I'm a costumer right now. I pay you."
"You make me sound like a prostitute," I replied nonchalantly, eyeing him. "—so? Cut to the chase already."
"Fine," he gave in and leaned forward, propping a hand under his chin that rested on the table. "---I have this friend of mine. She's really stubborn. She insists that she doesn't like him. You get what I mean?"
I could feel my eyes twitch. "Yeah?"
"—and I want to help, cause I'm like her best best friend in the whole wide world," he grinned maliciously. "—any advice, Avery?"
I groaned. Even if I wanted to pinch this guy, it's still a job. "Maybe you're mistaking things. You don't what she feels or who she really is deep inside, so I advise you to leave her be and if she really likes the guy, then life will lead her there."
"In short, stop butting," I emphasized, eyeing him intently.
"Alright. And I need one last advice," he waved with a hand.
"I'm going to charge you another fee," I smirked mischievously, getting my small, petty revenge.
"Aw. Best friend discount?" he pouted, eyeing me like a dog.
"No."
"Fine," he resigned, grabbing his wallet and slipped in some spare coins on my table. I took it, pushing them to the box from beside me.
His face morphed into a serious one, his smile no longer reaching his eyes nor there was any twinkle in them. I knew that this was the real him. Sad, sometimes empty and a distance you could feel.
"So my parents, uhm, fought again," he chuckled even though it sounded bleak. "—and they told me that if I would pursue music, I'd be disowned."
I bit my lip, staring at him intently and yet not knowing what to say. No words of consolation or encouragement could muster to come out of my mouth. Saying that things will get better is the worst lie ever. Everyone knows that things don't just get better. They just endure and try to cope with it.
Life isn't all glitters and sunshine. If you're not lucky enough, you can't get much opportunities in life. And life doesn't pick victims.
"Music is my only comfort," he whispered, eyes wavering. "---but even if my parents weren't the best and most often horrible... I don't want to lose them."
"What should I do?"
What can I say? Anything! Think! But no matter how I try to force any words of advice, it ended up empty handed. I just couldn't say those bittersweet words.
"Sorry, it's too much right?" Oskar faintly smiled.
I shook my head, clenching on my hand. "I think..."
I proceeded to take a deep breath. "I know what I'm about to say isn't going to help, and I'm also not going to patch things up with a bandage, just covering the fault that lies...but,"
"---I think that you should show your parents and make them see that being a musician isn't a failure at all."
"If only your parents could see how bright you shine on stage," I mumbled. "—then they would realize how you were born to be up there."
"Sorry, I'm no help at all," I apologized, feeling guilty for unable to say anything helpful. He had given me a lot of advices—some foolish, and yet I couldn't do the same for him.
I wished I was more capable, even to ease him.
"No, you're right," he smiled. "---I think it's about time my parents see what I see in music."
I couldn't help but root for him. Sure his path would be rocky, but he's determined to see it through the end. I returned the gesture. "You better."
After that, I assumed that Oskar would be my only costumer, but I was apparently wrong. People were interested in my so called 'witch booth' and it kind of overwhelmed me to see the line outside and how they would be disappointed by my advices.
Surprisingly, most of these people just wanted to vent. It's like they just wanted someone to listen to their troubles. That kind of made me feel strange. The fact that these people were willing to reveal even their darkest secrets to a mere stranger.
"You see, he cheated on me! He called this girl pretty and even touched her hair! What was I supposed to do? Smile? Of course I grabbed her hair and my boyfriend is now angry at me."
"Can you believe that? She deserved that."
"Okay," I prolonged, trying to seem attentive but I was over it the moment the words flew out of her mouth. "—why don't you try clarifying the situation with your boyfriend? I'm sure he has some reason."
"He said I was his only baby cupcake!"
Yikes. I cringed; my nose scrunched by the endearment like I ate something sour. They should know by now that endearments like that don't end good.
"What should I do? Should I trash that wrench's locker? Spill her with mess?" she eyed me with a burning passion like she's ready to lit up everything in flames like a psychopathic girl. "—or do you have some potions that can make her into an ugly frog?"
"Calm down," I propped a hand up, calming her chaotic persona. "---it'd be best if you hear his side first."
"What for?! These eyes don't lie hon!" she screeched at me like a crazy Karen.
"It must be a misunderstanding," I eyed her warily, hoping she doesn't throw herself onto me and turn it into some WWE moment. "—if not, then I don't think revenge would be good. It'd only make you the loser, so better yet pretend that you're doing better even when he's gone."
. . .
"My boyfriend tells me that I don't love him if I don't give myself to him."
"He's a dick wad. Kick his balls so that he can't ever make children."
...
"I'm so lonely. I don't fit in anywhere."
"Try to find uhm, people who share the same interests with you, and if that doesn't work, then it isn't bad to be alone. You can be an independent person."
. . .
"My marriage with my wife is slowly tearing up. I can tell she's probably going to file for divorce."
"Uhm," I eyed the teacher awkwardly, not knowing what to say. "---maybe go to some marriage counseling...? I'm sure they can help repair your relationship...."
. . .
By the time it was over, I was beyond exhausted. It was hot and I felt suffocated the entire time being stuck in that dark booth that once I went outside, I somehow forgot how beautiful and grateful I was for the cold breeze.
My slightly damp hair was now tied in a messy bun and my sticky skin was cooled off by the breezy wind outside.
I sighed, rolling the sleeves of my costume with my witch hat left at the booth since I didn't need it.
My eyes wandered to the people in my class going back and forth, picking up orders and delivering the goods. It looks like their other end is going well too.
I flinched when I feel a tap at my shoulder. I looked over to see Rhea smiling at me. "Good job, Avery."
"Thanks," I nodded.
"You can take a break or go and take a trip at the different stalls while you're at it," she flashed me a smile, then tapped my shoulder one last time. "—see ya, Avery."
I nodded, then fixed my gaze back to the guy being swooned by the group of hormonal girls, whispering while looking at him in star struck. The idiot just smiled, unfazed with how these girls are swooning over him.
"You free, Avery?" Emily suddenly arrives from beside me.
I bobbed my head and stretched my arms.
"You wanna go somewhere?" I blurted.
She looked at me peculiarly and I don't blame her. It's unusual for me too, but I don't have anything to do at the moment. I thought, why not spend some time with her.
She flashed me her demonic grin, conspiring something mischievous for my own liking. She fluttered her eyes, dramatizing her tone. "Oh I'm actually busy, so bussyyy right now."
I narrowed my eyes at her. "Sure."
"Why don't you go with Tom?" she chimed in a sing a long tune. "---I'm pretty sure he's going to say yes."
I scoffed, crossing my arms. "Oh really? With that number of girls staring at him? You think?"
"You jealous?" she inquired with malice, trying to get into my nerves.
I rolled my eyes. "Pfft. No."
"Oh come on," she grabbed ahold of my shoulders and slowly pushed me like a cardboard package being transferred to the other station. "---get some alone time with Tom."
"There's nothing between u---" I clamped my mouth shut when Tom's eyes unraveled to us and I could imagine that demonic smile lingering on Emily's face like she's some conspirator.
He suddenly comes close, leaving those girls ogling at him. Emily takes this as her cue to squeal. "I swear he looks so cute with that waiter outfit. He's like those guys from the anime!"
I rolled my eyes. "Then have him. Simple as that."
"I wish I could. But fan girls always have their boundaries," she declared with conviction and I try to say something but Tom cut me to it.
"Planning to go somewhere?" he asked/
"No---" I denied.
"Yes."
I wished Emily could see my threatening glare, but she couldn't. She's literally making everything so malicious that I can't have a day without her shipping me with Tom.
"I'm not going anywhere," I brushed it off.
"Oh Tom, Avery here is shy and wanted to go somewhere but I'm afraid I'm so busy," she pretended to act all busy and guilty. Tch. Drama queen.
"---mind coming along with her?"
"It's fine," I grit my teeth, warning him to decline with my mere eyes as signal. "---you have some other "business" to attend to anyway."
"I'm free," he instantly answered, not wasting a spare second.
I blinked, then looked to see him smiling. I emphasized. "Like I said I won't go anywhe—"
"Let's go," he looked at me intently, and I know that he won't let it go.
I sighed, murmuring curses under my breath. "Fine."
Emily giggled, lightly slapping my back for good luck. "Enjoy!"
"Sheesh," I grumbled in disbelief. "-she's cunning as usual."
Tom chuckled, walking alongside with me to the crowded hallways with people entering booths and lining up for something.
I don't feel like going in any booths right now.
Tom must've sensed it because he blurts out in the midst of the chatters and gushes on the background. "Want to go to our hideout?"
I am tired. Interacting with so much people all at once with that many for the first time in years overwhelmed me. I was completely depleted and felt suffocated.
"That'd be nice," I admitted and Tom led the way without muttering another word.
. . .
"It feels so good to be at peace," he commented with a contented sigh, leaning against the tree with shade.
The edge of my lips curved. "You can say that again."
"You look tired," he leaned forward to look at me closely and I scoot away, pushing his face away from me.
"Really, are you alright?" his brows creased in worry even with my hands on his face.
"I'm fine," I looked away, eventually removing my hands off his face and laid them on the grass.
"It must be rough speaking to so many people all at once."
I glanced at him in surprise. He in turn, looks at me. "—is what you're feeling, right?"
"So what?" I murmured, clenching a couple of grass on my hand. "---want a trophy on that, Sherlock?"
He chuckled. "It's not really hard to understand you."
"Oh I bet it isn't," I mocked him.
"You can take a nap, Avery."
I huffed, looking away. "I don't need it."
"You're so stubborn," he whispered, then I let out squeal when I feel his hands go around my arms and pulls me close to him.
I squirmed, flinging my arms like a child in danger. He doesn't budge and I screeched. "Don't touch me!"
His laughter rang into my ears. "Come on. I know you want a nap."
"Shut up!"
"I promise I won't do anything to you," he smiled warmly at me. "—except maybe watch you? That sounds creepy, scratch that."
My lips turn into a wry, but then I sighed. I'm too tired for this. He's too hyper for me right now. If only he'd shut up. Maybe I should knock him down—but I might kill him. Never mind.
"Fine. But don't touch me," I growled, slamming my head against his shoulder, creating a small thud.
"You happy?" I grumbled.
"Yeah."
He snaked his fingertips around my hair and I swat it off. "I said not to touch me!"
"My bad," he chuckled. "—I won't touch you, I promise."
"You better."
Extra:
"Hey Avery, so how did----"
I peered over my shoulder to see her fast asleep with her eyes sealed close. I let out a smile, poking her cheeks. "You're such a stubborn girl, aren't you?"